The Truth Behind Snake Charming

Photo: Rudra Prasanna Mahapatra

Abstract: An age old tradition, India even today blithely sells its tag of being the mystical land of snake charmers. The People who profess this 'Art' however live a life of penury. The gap between protecting the hapless reptiles and developing a viable livelihood for the snake charmers needs to be addressed immediately to save whatever little traditional knowlegde may be left.

The author is a wildlife activist in Orissa.